Internal combustion engine



May 27,v 1941. K.'L HERRMANN INTERNAL CQMBUSIION ENGINE Original FiledMay 14, 1937 5 `Sheets- Sheet 1 May 27, 1941. K. L. HERRMANN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE Original Filed May 14, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR. /qQL #regna/YN AT ORNEYJ May 27, 1941- K. L. HERRMANN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE Original Filed May 14. 1337 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 yBY May 27, 1941.

l K. L. HERRMANN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE Original Filed May 14, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN VEN TOR. Kam l. Hwang/mf May 27, 1941'- K. L HERRMANN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE 5 sheets-sheet 5 Original Filed May 14, 1937 I N V AEN TOR. Kara/ l. #seem/wv ATJoRNEx/s Patented May 27, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,243,819 INTERNAL coMBUs'rloN ENGINE Karl L. Herrmann, vSouth Bend, Ind.

Original application May 14, 1937, Serial No. 142,653. Divided and this application May 6, '1940, Serial No. 333,518

(ci. izalns) 13 Claims.

This invention relates to internal combustion engines, the principal object being the provision of a new and novel lubricating system for the same. v 4

Objects of the invention include vthe provision of a novel construction for distributing the lubricant to the essential bearing surfaces of a barrel type engine; the provision of a barrel type engine including a shaft having a driving cam located intermediate the ends thereof and thrust bearings associated with'each end of the driving cam for the purpose of taking the thrust of the pistons on the cam, together with the novel means for lubricating the thrust bearings and for distributing lubricant therefrom to the cams and the connection between the cam and the pistons; the provision of an engine as above described in which the thrust bearings are designed to assist in the functioning of the lubrication system by submitting lubricant delivered to it to the effects of centrifugal force, thereby to enhance the flow of lubricant in the system; the provision of an engine of the type described provided with a compartment surrounding the drive shaft on each side of the cam thereof, the shaft within each of the compartments being provided with spirally arranged means adapted to force the lubricant introduced into the compartment in opposite directions to bearingv surfaces located at opposite ends of each compartment; the provision of an engine of the type described in which the thrust bearings are provided with spiral grooves therein not only to distribute the lubricant over the entire face of the thrust bearings but further serving as a metering passage for delivering lubricant to the wearing surfaces between the pistons and the cams and between the pistons and the cylinders and for subjecting the lubricant to the effects o f centrifugal force.

Further objects of the invention include the provision of a lubricating system for an internal combustion engine in which pressure created by blow-by past the pistons in utilized in the provision of an oil circulating system; the provision of an internal combustion engine lubricating system in which the blow-by past'the pistons is combe returned under gravity or otherwise to the wearing surfaces of the engine; andthe provision of a lubricating system for an internal combustion engine having cylinders and a case connected therewith in which-the drive shaft of the engine `is rotatablysupported `andi within which means are provided for connecting the pistons lto the drive shaft, and in which lubricant introduced into the engine for the purpose of lubricating the moving parts thereof is drained into the bottom of the case, the blow-by past the pistons discharged into the case being discharged from the case in sucha manner as to eject the accumulated lubricant from the case and to a suitable reservoir from which it may again be delivered to the wearing parts of the engine.

The above being among the objects of the present invention, the same consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations of parts to be hereinafter described with reference to the .accompanying drawings, and then claimed,

vhaving the above and other objects in view.

In th accompanying drawings which illustrate a suitable embodiment of the present invention and in `which like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several different views,

Fig. 1 is a view showing parts in side elevation and other parts in vertical section and disclosing a barrel type of internal combustion engine constructed according to my invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view, showing on an enlarged scale the construction of the thrust bearing and of thencamfollower, which are carried in the connecting section of one of the double-ended pistons; i

Fig. 3 is a view, in end elevation, taken in the direction of the arrows 3-3 of Fig. 2 and showing the exhaust manifold cover, carburetor and water outlet on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view, taken on the line 4--4 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows 4 4 of that figure and showing on anenlarged scale'the intake and exhaust valve pockets and also the passages from the carburetor to the respective intake valves and the passages through which the cooling fluid travels around the exhaust valves to the cylinder block.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of an enlarged scale, taken substantially on the line 5 5 of Fig. 4, showing a metering device which-is 1ocated in one of the passages of the cooling system;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 1 but looking in the opposite direction of the arrows 4 4, showing a portion of the carburetor and the connecting passage for the intake manifold;

i ,i Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional view, taken substantially on the line 1 1 'of Fig. 1, showing the passages through which the cooling fluid travels within the cylinder block;

. Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional view, taken longitudinally through the cylinder4 head, having certain parts broken away and showing an intake valve, an exhaust valve andtheir related parts;-

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the valve operating cam, showing the cam surfaces for operating the intake and exhaust valves;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken longitudinally of the engine and showing the supply and return of lubricant to and from the various moving parts of the engine;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken substantially on the line II-II of Fig. 10, showing the method of supplying lubricant lto the engine and also the arrangement for the return of lubricant to the reservoir;

Fig. 12 is a detailed View on an enlarged scale of one of the thrust bearings, showing the grooved surfaces for carrying and distributing the oil; and, Fig. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing the venturi for returning oil lto th reservoir. l p

The present invention is a division "of my application for Letters Patent of the United Statesfor improvements in Internal combustion engine, filed May 14, 1937, and serially numbered 142,653. Certain features of the present invention are applicable to internal combustion engines whether they are of the usual in-line type of construction, V-type of construction, or of the barrel type of construction, but inasmuch as all features of the invention are particularly adaptable for use in connection with barrel types of engines, the following descriptionof the preesnt invention will be limited to its application to barrel type. engines engine. The cylinders are equally spaced in a circle around the drive shaft. The drive shaft has mounted on it, or integral with it, an enlarged portion approximately midway between the ends vof the shaft. the enlarged portion being positioned between thrust bearings I2. Supported on and carried by the enlarged portion- II is Va T- section driving cam I3, through which the drive shaft is driven from the pistons. Perpendicular surfaces I4 at opposite ends of theenlarged portion II provide thrust surfaces for the bearings I2. The shaft I extends the entire length of the engine and is provided with journal surfaces I arranged to rotate'in bearings I6 secured in the cylinder blocks adjacent .the outer ends thereof. One end( of the drive shaft I0 is provided with an ignition distributor I1 and the other end is arranged as at I8 for connection to a coupling device. The cylinder block is formed in two sections I9 and 20,*secured together as at 22. Adjacent the ends of the cylinder block sections 'I9 and 20 arecylinder heads 24 and 24a. 'I'he cylinder block sections are lsimilar as are the cylinder heads.` and the description of one in detail will serve to describe similar parts. On

' the head 24 there is secured a valve cover 25, and also thereon are six exhaust conduits, such as 26,'

all leading the annular exhaust manifold 21 arranged concentrically with the axis of the engine. Each of the block halves is provided with six cylinder bores 28 equally angularly arranged about the axis thereof, and each cylinder bore has associated with it one piston, such as 29, of a double-ended piston, designated generally as 30.

Referring still to Fig. 1, the double-ended piston 30 may be seen to comprise a pair of pistons 29 and 32 connected by a connecting portion 33.

-'Ihe pistons 38 maybe operatively connected to the cam I3 in the manner shown in my copending application for Letters Patent of the United States for improvements in Internal combustion engine, filed Oct. 29, 1938, the same being a continuation in part`of my previously identified application of which the present application is a division, or may be connected as shown herein.

In the particular construction shown the con.

nection portion has formed therein a pair. of journals 34 and 35 within which .there are mounted roller bearings and cam followers, such as 36 and 31, the cam followers contacting with the cam I3 and transforming the energy of the pistons into torque for rotating the cam I3.

The structure of the roller bearings, their journals and cam followers may be seen more clearly in Fig. 2, where there is shown the journal 34 within which there is mounted on needle or roller bearings, such as 38, a shaft '39. This shaft 39 carries the cam follower 36, which, as stated above, contacts with the cam I3. 'Ihe shaft 39 and roller bearings 38 are retained in position by washers 40 and snap rings 42. Apertures, such as 43, are provided in the washers 40 to permit lubricant to contact the rollers 38. Having roller bearings on both sides of the cam follower 36 e gives ample roller bearing surface.

After explosion, the burnt gases are exhausted from the cylinders by the following means. As may be seen in Fig. 1, each cylinder 28 is provided with an exhaust opening 44, which is `usually closed by an exhaust valve 45, the exhaust valve opening at times to allow the burnt gases to pass into the exhaust passage 46. From each exhaust passage 46 the gases pass through the corresponding exhaust conduit 26 to the exhaust manifold 21 and escape therefrom through the exhaust opening 41. The exhaust manifold 21, the exhaust outlet 41, and the several exhaust conduits 26 are shown more clearly in Fig. 3.

Means are also provided for supplying fuel to the various cylinders. As may be seen in Fig. 3, I have provided a carburetor 48, which is connected to an intake conduit 49 (Figs. 3 and 4). This intake conduit, 49 leads to an annular intake manifold 50 formed adjacent to the drive shaft and concentric therewith and provided with a casing 52, which is formed as a partition surrounding the inlet valves 53 but excluding the exhaust valves 45 and forming radially outwardly directed pockets or passages 63 each connecting the manifold 50 with one ofthe intake valves 53. One exhaust valve 45 and one inlet valve 53 is associated with each cylinder sol as to allow the inlet of fuel and exhaust of burnt gases from each cylinder.

yinlet valve 53a. The valve 45a has a. valve stem 54, which is urged by a spring 55 to seat the valve 45a.v The valve 53a has avalve stem 56 urged by a spring 51 to seat the valve 53a. The stem 54 acting through a conventional tappet 54a bears upon the inner -face 58 of the valve cam 59, shown most clearly in Fig. 9, and the valve stem 56 acting through a tappet 56a bears on the outer face 66 of the cam 59. Similarly, all of the exhaust valves have stems bearing through tappets on the inner face, and all of the inlet valves have stems bearing through tappets on the outer face, and the cam thus operates both the exhaust and the inlet valves.

The axes of the in-take valves, such as 53a, lie in the surface of a frustrum of a cone, and the ends of the cooperating valve tappets are shaped to conform to the cam surface 58 of the cam 56. The exhaust valves corresponding to valve 45a and their valve stems and tappets are located so that their axes lie in the surface of a frustrum of a cone with the ends of the cooperating valve tappets shaped to co-operate with the cam surface 6I) of the cam 58. Asshown in Fig. 9, the lannular inclined cam surface 58 for the intake valves is combined with the concentric, annular, inclined cam surface 60 for the exhaust valves in a single unitary structure. y

Referring again to Fig. 1, it may be seen that each exhaust manifold 21 is tapered to permit the continuous and uniform flow of exhaust gases into the exhaust Vpipe 62 (Fig- 3). The exhaust conduits 26 may be secured to the cylinder head 24 by means of bolts or studs.

In the operation of the valves. the cylinders re in regular order in the direction of rotation. The intake valves open in the same order, and gases passing into the intake manifold 50, past the intake valves, are caused to whirl in a rotary swirling action in the short annular manifold, and thus the heavier vapor particles are prevented from settling, because theyv are thrown outward centrifugally into the v alve pockets 63 (Fig. 4).

Means are also provided for cooling the engine.

water or other cooling medium inlet 64, through which water is introduced into the annular compartment 65 formed between the partition 52 and the outer casing or wall 66 of the cylinder head 24. The water thus enters the cylinder head and forms a mass around and between the exhaust valves and travels toward the longitudinal center of the engine, passing through ports, such as the port 61. One of the ports 61 is shown more clearly in Fig. 5,` wherein it may be seen that the port 61 connects the space 65 with a waterjacket '68 surrounding the cylinders 28. From the jacket 68 (Figs. l and 7), the water passes through an outlet 69 into a water conduit 10, leading back to the radiator 12. From the radiator 12, the water is pumped by the pump 13 through the water supply conduit 14 back to the water inlet 614. Thus it will be noted that contrary to conventional practice, in the present case the cooling medium or water is first introduced into the water jacket for the cylinder head, and is then discharged therefrom to the water jacket for the cylinder block.

In each passage 61 is inserted a removable ported metering plug 15, as best shown in Fig. 5, which permits the proper amount of water to flow around the corresponding exhaust valves and into the water jackets forthe cylinders. By this arrangementy Athe compartment 65 is maintained continuously filled with water and prevents the possibility of steam collecting in the exhaust cooling compartment. Aljso by making the passages in the plugs small enough, it is possible to maintain a positive pressure on the water in the jacket for the cylinder head, greater than the pressure on the water in the jacket for the cylinder block, and thus lessen the tendency of steam to form around the head, as Well as to insure a proper flow of water around all of the exhaust passages 44 so as to maintain the seats for the exhaust valves properly cool an-d thus avoid warping of the same. By reason of the fact that the ports 61 are located in the pockets for the exhaust valves, the possibility of excessive hot Water collecting in these pockets is eliminated, thus giving more desirable and efficient cooling of the engine. It is also understood that the ports 15 may be varied in size so that a uniform temperature may be maintained throughout by increasing or decreasing the flow of the cooling medium. The fact also that the water heated by the exhausty surrounds the intake manifold 50 insures the maintenance of the fuel at a proper temperature. A steam relief port 61a, smaller than the metering ports 15, connects the compartment 65 in the head with the water-jacket 68 at their uppermost portions to permit any steam that might form in the head under unusual circumstances a ready escape to the outlet 69.

Means are provided f-or insuring the proper lubrication of all the moving parts of the engine and such means forms the subject-matter of the present invention. Referring to Figs. 10, 11, 12 and 13, land especially to Fig. 11, it may be seen that there is provided an oil reservoir 16, from .which oil may flow by a pair of conduits 11 to a central chamber 18 formed in the engine block adjacent to the drive shaft I0 andy between the thrust bearing I2 and radial bearing I6 at each end of the engine. As may be seen more clearly in Fig. 10, the drive shaft I0, adjacent to the outlet from the conduit 11, may be but is not necessarily provided with a series of spiral -baiiles 19 and 80. As may be seen, with the drive shaft I0 rotating in a clockwise direction (as viewed from theleft in Fig. 10), the spiral -baiiles will act to aid in forcing the lubricant in opposite directions from the conduit 11, forcing it to the Vbearings I5 and 82, and in the opposite direction to the thrust bearings I2. The thrust bearings I2 are each composed of two parts, one fixed with respect to the engine block and the other free to rotate with the shaft I0 and, as shown on an enlarged scale in Fig. l2, the rotatable parts are each provided with a plurality of spiral grooves, such as 84, whereby the oil delivered to the thrust bearings and particularly to the grooves 84 thereof is acted upon by centrifugal force and thrown outwardly therefrom to lubricate the cam followers 365, the roller bearings therefor, the cam I3 and the pistons, during their movement in the cylinders. The ow of lubricant to the passages 84 and subsequent application of centrifugal force to such oil acts in the manner of a centrifugal pump to aid in the circulation of the oil through the system. It will also be understood that by Vvarying the size and/or number of the grooves or passages 84 a means is provided for Varying the now of lubricant into the cam chamber, as these grooves or passages 84 serve as metering passages.

The oil collects in the lower part of the crank case, as at 85 (Figs. l0 and 11), and is forced therefrom, along with some of the gas blowing by the pistons, by pressure in the crank case developed from the blow-by past the pistons. 'I'he oil is forced, through a Venturi nozzle: tit, into a returnconduit bl, from which it Hows back to the supply tank it. In passing out of the Venturi nozzle 85 into the conduit tl, the flow of the oil creates a suction, which draws oil from the opposite ends of the engine, through passages @Si leading thereto as shown in Fig. 13. Thus oil forced towards the ends of the engine by the ballies B or otherwise passes outwardly to lubricate the valve mechanism, and eventually collects in pockets, such as t8, whence it passes through the conduits t9 to the outlet at the Venturi nozzle to, and there by suction is pulled into the conduit si and thence forced by pressure to the reservoir. The reservoir it is provided with a float valve 9d, used to close the vent opening of the reservoir in inverted flying, It is to be understood that oil passed through the journal i (Fig. is discharged against the cam da and thrown centrifugally against the ends of the valve stems 56 and 56.

It is believed that the operation of the engine will be apparent from the above description. Fuel injected into the cylinders through the intake manifold 5t from the carburetor fit, at times permitted by the opening of the valves 53 as controlled by the cam 59, is exploded by the sparkl plugs, which maybe inserted as at it@ (Fig. 10) The movement of the pistons outward reacts through the central beam, through the cam followers ii, upon the cam iii, and thus rotates the shaft it. At this point the exhaust valves l5 are opened by the cam` 59, and the exhaust gases escape through the exhaust manifold 2li. The cam 59 is driven by the shaft i@ and, as stated, operates the exhaust and intake valves. IThe engine is cooled by the cooling system, previously described, and is lubricated by the lubricating system, also previously described.

It may be noted that by positioning the thrust bearings on each side of the cams i3 and in contact with 'the opposite ends or shoulders iii of the enlarged portion il of the shaft it, a minimum length of shaft is located between the thrust bearings. Therefore expansion or contraction of the shaft ill due to temperature changes will have no appreciable affect on the proper operation of the thrust bearings, The radial bearings i6 and 82 being capable of permitting relative axial movement of the shaft iii therein, are not affected in any manner by changes in the length .block having the cylinders thereof arranged with their axes parallel to said shaft and in a circle about the shaft, a piston inleachbf said cylinders, and means including a cam on said shaft forming an operative connection between the piston and the shaft for effecting rotation of the shaft upon reciprocation of. the pistons, the combination the shoulder on the corresponding side of said cam, and a thrust bearing arranged between each of said opposed pair of shoulders, means for feeding oil along said shaft to each of said thrust bearings, and said thrust bearings being positioned .to discharge lubricant therefrom to said pistons and to said connections between said pistons and said cam.

2. In an internal combustion engine of the barrel type class including a cylinder block providing two circularly arranged groups of cylinders at each end of the enginearranged with their axesparallel to the axis of the engine, a drive shaft concentric with the axis of the engine, a cam on the shaft between the two groups of cylinders, pistons in the cylinders and means interconnecting the pistons and the -cams for simultaneous movement, the combination of an axial thrust bearing arranged between the shaft and the cylinder block on each side of the cam, a radial bearing for the shaft in axially outwardly spaced relation` from the corresponding thrust bearings on each side of the cam, means for introducing lubricant to the shaft between each radial bearing and its corresponding thrust bearing, said thrust bearing being provided with passages therein for reception of said lubricant and for restricting the iiow thereof through said thrust bearing, and said thrust bearing being positioned to discharge lubricant therefrom to said pistons during their .normal movement in said cylinders.

3. In an internal combustion engine of the barrel type class including a cylinder block providing two circularly arranged groups of cylinders at each end of the engine arranged with their axes parallel to the axis of the engine, a drive shaft concentric with the axis of the engine, a cam on the shaft between the two groups of cylinders, pistons in the cylinders and, means interconnecting the pistons and the cams for simultaneous movement, )the combination of an axial thrust bearing arranged between the shaft and the cylinder block on each side of the cam, a radial bearing for the shaft in axially outwardly spaced relation from the corresponding thrust bearings on each side of the. cam, means for introducing lubricant to the shaft between each radial bearing and its corresponding thrust bearing, said thrustfbearing including a part capable of rotation with said shaft and having passages therein leading from a point adjacent the radially inner edge of the thrust bearing to with the shaft of a radial shoulder thereon at the radially outer edge thereof, and means for delivering lubricant 'to said shaft intermediate each thrust bearing and the radial bearing at the corresponding end of the engine for distribution to both said radial bearings and said thrust bearings, the lubricant fed to said thrust bearings "being received by said passages and beingsubjected to centrifugal force therein during operation of the engine to aid in the circulation of l ble in the cylinders and a cam fixed to the shaft c 1n said casing andV operatively connected to the piston for receiving driving effort therefrom, the combination with said blocks and shaft of a bearing surroundingsaid shaft on each side of said cam and an additional bearing surrounding the said shaft on each side or said cam and spaced axially of said shaft outwardly thereof with respect to the corresponding first mentioned bearing, a compartment formed in each of said blocks between each pair of said bearings on the same side of said cam, means for introducing lubricant into said compartments and pumping means in each of said compartments driven by said shaft and acting upon lubricant delivered thereto to force said lubricant from the opposite ends of said compartments.

5. In an internal combustion engine of a class including a pair of axially spaced cylinder blocks and an interconnecting casing, a drive shaftl rotatably mounted centrally of the cylinder blocks, cylinders inthe cylinder blocks, pistons reciprocable in the cylinders and a cam fixed to the shaft in said casing and operatively connected to the piston for receiving driving effort-therefrom, the combination with said blocks and shaft of a bearing surrounding said shaft on each side of said cam and an additional bearing surrounding the said shaft on each side of said cam and spaced axially of said shaft outwardly thereof with respect to the corresponding rst mentioned bearing, a compartment formed in each of said blocks between each pair of said bearings on the same side of said cam, means for introducing lubricant into said compartments, and pumping means in each of said compartments driven by said shaft and acting upon lubricant delivered thereto to force said lubricant from the opposite ends of said compartments, the rst mentioned bearings comprising thrust bearings operative to transmit axial thrust on said shaft to said cylinder blocks. A

6. In an internal combustion engine of a class including a pair of axially spaced cylinder blocks and an interconnecting casing, a drive shaft rotatably'mounted centrally of the cylinder blocks, cylinders in the cylinder blocks, pistons reciprocable in the cylinders and a cam fixed to the shaft in said casing and operatively connected to the piston for receiving driving effort therefrom, the combination with said blocks andshaft of a bearing surrounding said shaft on each side of said cam and an additional bearing surrounding the said shaft on each side of said cam and spaced axially of said shaft outwardly thereof with respect to the corresponding rst mentioned bearing, a compartment formed in each of said blocks between each pair of said bearings on the same side of said cam, means for introducing lubricant into said compartments, pumping means in each of said compartments driven by said shaft and acting upon lubricant delivered thereto to force said lubricant from the` opposite ends of said compartments, the first mentioned bearings comprising thrust bearings operative to transmit axial thrust on saidl shaft to said cylinder blocks, each of said thrust bearings including a member having a face in a plane directed perpendlcularly to the axis of said shaft, and said face having passages therein arranged to receivelubrlcant from the corresponding said coming surrounding said shaft on each side of said cam and an additional bearing surrounding the said shaft on each side of said cam and spaced axially of said shaft outwardly thereof ,with

respect to the corresponding first mentioned bearing, a compartment formed in each of said blocks between each pair of said bearings on the same side of said cam,.means for introducing lubricant into said compartments, pumping means in each of said compartments driven by said shaft and acting upon lubricant delivered thereto to force said lubricant from the opposite ends of said compartments, the first mentioned bearings comprising thrust bearings operative to transmit axial thrust on said shaft to said cylinder blocks, said thrust bearings each including a rotatable member having at least one passage in a radial face thereof for reception of lubricant from the corresponding of said. compartments, said passage leading from the inner face of said member to the radial outer face thereof whereby to subject lubricant received in said passage to the effect of centrifugal force whereby to aid said pumping means in the circulation of lubricant in said engine.

8. In an internal combustion engine of a class including a pair of axially spaced cylinder blocks and an interconnecting casing, a drive shaft rotatably mounted centrally of the cylinder blocks, cylinders in the cylinder blocks, pistons reciprocable in the cylinders and a cam fixed to the shaft in said casing and operatively connected to the piston for receiving driving effort therefrom, the combination with said blocks and shaft of a bearing surrounding said shaft on each side of said cam and an additional bearing surrounding the said shaft on each side of said cam and spaced axially of said shaft outwardly thereof with respect to the corresponding rst mentioned bearing, a compartment formed in each of said blocks between each pair of said bearings on the same side of said cam, means for introducing lubricant into said compartments, and a pair of oppositely spiralled members secured to said shaft within each of said compartments and rotatable with said shaft, said spiral members acting uipon lubricant delivered'to said compartment to force said lubricant towards the opposite ends of said compartments.

9. In an internal combustion engine of the class having a cylinder block providing a plurality of cylinders, a piston reciprocable in each cylinder, a casing secured to the cylinder block and adapted to contain a body of lubricating oil and to receive gas blowing by said piston during operation of said engine, a drive shaft rotatably mounted in the casing and a driving connection between the pistons and the drive shaft whereby some pistons move outwardly in their cylinders while others move inwardly in their cylinders, the combination with said casing of a discharge connection adjacent the lower portion thereof in position to receive oil from said body of oil and forming the sole normally open escape means for fluids within said casing, a reservoir, and a connection between said discharge connection and said reservoir whereby said gas blowing by said pistons during operation of said engine acts upon lubricating oil collecting in the lower portion of said casing to force the same through said discharge connection and into said reservoir.

10. In an internal combustion engine of the class including a pair of cylinder blocks arranged in vaxially spaced relation secured and sealed. together by means of a casing, said casing adapt ed. to contain a body of lubricating oil and to receive gas blowing by said pistons during operation of said engine, having a drive shaft rotatably mounted centrally thereof, pistons reciprocable in the cylinder blocks and means in said casing forming a driving connection between said shaft and said pistons, the combination with said casing and cylinder blocks of a discharge connection adjacent the lower part jof said casing in position to receive oil from said body of oil and forining the sole normally open escape means fordfiuid collecting in said casing, an additional casing at the end of each said cylinder blocks opposite the first mentioned casing, an oil reservoir, a conduit extending between said connection and said oil reservoir, a nozzle operatively associated with said connection and projecting into said conduit n at least partly spaced relation with respect to the inner walls thereof, an additional conduit connecting the interior of each of the second mentioned casings with the first mentioned conduit at a point adjacent said nozzle, whereby said gas blowing by said pistons into the rst mentioned casing and escaping through said connection and nozzle creates a suction in the second mentioned conduits tending to withdraw fluid therefrom and to deliver said fluid to said reservoir.

1l. In an internal combustion engine of the class including a cylinder block having a cylinder and a piston reciprocable in said cylinder, a casing sealed to said cylinder block and adapted to contain a body of lubricating oil and to receive gas blowing by said piston during operation of said engine, a drive shaft rotatably mounted in said casing and a connection at least partially within said casing connecting said piston and said drive shaft for driving said drive shaft from said piston, the combination with said casing of a discharge connection adjacent the bottom of said casing in position to receive oil from said body of oil and forming the sole normally open means for the escape of uid from said casing, an oil reservoir, a conduit connecting said oil reservoir with said discharge connection, an ejector at the junction of said discharge connection and said conduit and adapted to be operate-d by said gas blowing by said piston into said casing and escaping from said lcasing through .said discharge connection, a second casing part on said engine in which lubricant is adapted to collect, 'and a tube connecting the low pressure zone f said ejector with said second casing part.

12. In an internal combustion engine of the class including a cylinder block having a plurality of cylinders therein and a. piston reciprocable in each of said cylinders, a casing sealed to said cylinder block and adapted to contain a body of lubricating oil and to receive gas blovv-4 ing by said piston during operation of said engine, a drive shaft rotatably mounted in the' casing, and an operative connection between said pistons and said drive shaft for imparting driving movement to said driving shaft upon reciprocation of said pistons, said connection being so constructed and arranged that some of said pistons are moving outwardly of their cylinders while others are moving inwardly of their cylinders, the combination with said casing of a discharge connection adjacent thelower end thereof in position cant through said conduit and into said reservoir, and a discharge connection from said reservoir to said wearing surface of said engine.

13. In an internal combustion engine having a central drive shaft, pairs of opposed cylinders arranged circularly about said shaft with their axes substantially parallel to the axis of said shaft, double ended pistons in each pair of opposed cylinders, and a cam on said shaft engaged by said pistons and adapted to be rotated thereby, the combination of a pair of spaced thrust bearings for said shaft disposed on opposite sides of said cam, a radial load bearing for said shaft disposed on each side of said cam and in outwardly spaced relation to the corresponding said thrust bearing, a substantially closed passageway connecting each said radial load bearing with its vcorresponding thrust bearing and means for introducing lubricant to said passageways, said thrust bearings being so constructed and ar- Iranged as to feed oil therethrough to the wear- .ing surfaces between said cam and pistons.

KARL L. HERRMANN. 

